Sherwood Lumber LLC, one of the leading players in the U.S. lumber distribution industry, partnered with SimuRise for its first-ever international leadership development intervention. With 60 senior leaders, including the Vice President of Sales, the program focused on strengthening collaboration, risk management, and strategic decision-making using our flagship business simulation, The Quest for King Solomon’s Mines.
Introduction
When Sherwood Lumber LLC decided to strengthen the collaborative and strategic leadership skills of its top teams, they knew traditional training wouldn’t be enough. They needed a leadership development intervention that is immersive, real-time, and behaviorally revealing.
As a milestone initiative, this was their first international leadership development intervention, held in the United States and attended by 60 participants, including senior leadership and the Vice President of Sales.
They chose SimuRise for one simple reason: To experience leadership in motion, not theory.
The Objective
The goal was clear:
Create a high-impact learning experience that challenges leaders to:
- Work collaboratively under pressure
- Navigate risk with awareness
- Take ownership of decisions
- Use available resources and expertise effectively
Sherwood Lumber wanted its leadership to walk away not just with knowledge, but with insights they could immediately apply to everyday business challenges.
The Intervention
SimuRise introduced the leadership team to The Quest for King Solomon’s Mines (KSM)—a simulation designed to reflect the real-world dynamics of cross-functional decision-making, limited information, and shifting priorities.
In the simulation, leaders must work together to plan, act, and reflect across a fictional yet relatable business expedition. The gameplay demands coordination, adaptability, and trust.
Key behavioral objectives were baked into the experience:
- Encourage cross-team collaboration
- Make bold but thoughtful decisions
- Recognize when to ask for help
- Practice resourcefulness under constraints
This was not passive learning. It was real-time insight into how each leader thinks, reacts, and collaborates.
The Outcomes
The results were striking.
1. Collaboration Strengthened
Leaders reported a significant shift in how they approached teamwork. By experiencing the cost of poor collaboration in the simulation, they became more intentional about clear communication and shared decision-making.
2. Risk Management Improved
Participants gained a more mature understanding of how to evaluate risk, not avoid it, but manage it wisely. They learned how bold decisions can drive growth if paired with thoughtful planning.
3. Cultural Milestone for Sherwood
This was the company’s first overseas leadership development intervention, and it left a mark. The experience not only set a new benchmark for leadership development but also opened the door to more global, behavior-driven learning experiences.
The feedback? Overwhelmingly positive. The Vice President of Sales described it as “an eye-opener”—an experience that made invisible team dynamics visible, and offered actionable takeaways for the business.
Conclusion
For Sherwood Lumber LLC, this simulation was more than a learning exercise. It was a shift in mindset. Their leadership team left with stronger strategic capabilities, a deeper appreciation for collaboration, and a renewed commitment to leading with clarity and confidence.
This case demonstrates the true power of behavioral simulations: They turn insight into action. They make collaboration real. And they prepare leaders, not just for the next challenge, but for global impact.
